7/4/2008
A while back the OPC Foundation conducted a survey of OPC vendors on their knowledge and plans for OPC UA, and those of their customers. The results are out, so here are some comments on them…
The first question dealt with what sort of issues most customers are facing with classic OPC; DCOM, security, cross-platform, lack of integration, etc. I’ve always said that the OPC UA adopters seem to fall into three basic categories: Those who… 1) want to get rid of DCOM 2) want to be on Non-Windows platforms and 3) want an integrated, enterprise connectivity solution. Usually in that order. The questionnaire results back that thinking, with the most popular reasons being DCOM, Reliability and Windows Security related problems. The next major grouping related to non-Windows and Embedded OS support. Enterprise integration and richer information models rounded out the feature set customers are looking for.
Not surprisingly, the results on vendor awareness of the OPC UA specifications, existing OPC UA products and available training courses and webinars were all overwhelmingly positive. Seems the OPC UA message is getting out loud and clear.
The remaining questions focused on the development platforms and transport options vendors are looking to support. The numbers planning on using C#/.NET verses C/C++ or Java reflected similar numbers to the earlier question on issues. Most vendors will continue to target Microsoft platforms, with strong support showing for cross-platform languages. In terms of transport options, it’s not surprising that most vendors plan to support both the high-performance binary methods, as well as the more flexible XML/HTTP type implementations.
The survey results not only show the OPC UA deliverables are in synch with vendor expectations, they are also backed up by solid actions. The recent OPC UA Developers Workshop and Plug-fest where both maxed out on seating capacity. The Workshop was so popular another one to be held in Europe shortly is already being planned. If you missed out on the first one, your next chance is coming soon.
Of course the biggest indication of OPC UA support are the products that have been or are soon to be released. Off the top of my head I know of OPC UA products from ABB, ICONICS, Kepware, Matrikon and Softing. There are others as well (if I missed your company, drop me a comment and I’ll stick you on the list J ).
The point is OPC UA technology is here and being adopted. Where is your company on the adoption curve? 6/27/2008
The latest version of the OPC UA SDK (Software Development Kit) version 1.00.215.2 Beta is now available for download. The OPC UA SDK is a set of interfaces, libraries and executables that allow developers to quickly create UA applications with the .NET programming environment, including:
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Implementations of the XML Web Services and UA Native Binary stack profiles
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Server and Client development toolkits
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Sample Applications
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A wrapper for COM-DA Servers (DA 2.05a and DA3.00)
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A Diagnostics Client Application
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Local Discovery Server
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An Application Configuration Tool
The sample applications are available with source code, and the stack and development toolkits are available as binaries. This release includes bugs fixes, updated installers and redistributable binaries as well as the examples on how to create a custom NodeManager.
A lot of OPC Foundation members are actively developing products on the OPC UA SDK and other deliverables. In addition to gaining valuable OPC UA knowledge, troubleshooting and improving the OPC UA framework, these companies are ahead of the curve on OPC UA product development. If you haven’t yet, take the opportunity to review the SDK and other deliverables and see the great things OPC UA has to offer. 6/18/2008
OPC UA is starting a buzz in the news these days. Recent OPC UA announcements are getting noticed by industrial automation blogs, and more articles are hitting news sources. Besides OPC blogs, another great source of information on what’s happening with OPC is the OPC Portal at Automation.com. It’s got feature OPC articles, product releases, application stories, training opportunities and much more.
You can also subscribe to the OPC newsletter. Here’s a sample of some of the OPC articles in this month’s offering:
There’s always something of note happening with OPC, and 2008 is definitely shaping up to be the Year of OPC UA. Just think of what next year will bring. 6/11/2008
In order to continually improve and ensure the OPC Foundation is providing you with the sort of information you require, we are seeking some of your thoughts on security and safety.
Please take 5 minutes to fill out this simple survey that covers; your views on automation security (cyber and otherwise) and safety, where you hear about the latest security and safety news, and the impact of Automation Security and Safety in your company. Results of the survey will be published back to the respondents’, and published on the OPC Foundation website within two weeks.
Of course a survey wouldn’t be complete without the chance to win some great gifts! Fill out the survey, enter your e-mail and be registered to win prizes from the OPC Foundation.
The survey may be found here: Automation Security and Safety Survey
Deadline for filling out the survey is Monday June 23, 2008. 6/3/2008
Based on the feedback I’ve heard, the IndConn sessions held at last month’s ConnectivityWeek were a success. A lot of good presentations and discussions, as well as great opportunities for networking across multiple industries. I guess that’s not hard to do when you have major players from the power generation, distribution, regulators, standards groups, end users and industrial automation experts all at the same event.
One theme that keeps coming to the top was more collaboration. Large-scale impacts on energy consumption at times of high demand can’t happen until even the most ingenious proprietary technology offers a standardized, collaborative pathway by which the utilities and the consuming systems can interact. It’s not hard to understand why OPC was such a big part of this event. Collaboration and connectivity to energy systems/building automation sources + connectivity to IT + access to higher level applications = energy savings and optimization.
Several OPC Foundation members where present, including Tom Burke. Tom had this to say “One of the key things here is evolution versus revolution…the technology is changing so fast…in order to be successful not only do we have to bridge the gap back to the existing systems”. Tom expands on that topic and more in conversation with MatrikonOPC’s, Sean Leonard in an interview with Ken Sinclair of AutomatedBuildings.com. You can see the read the whole OPC and Building Automation interview here. The site also has recaps of the panel sessions, including the Smart Energy Panel, Jim Luth sat on and the Connectivity Mega Panel that Tom Burke attended. Open, interoperable and available standards like OPC UA are key to making better connected systems.
Did you attend the OPC sponsored IndConn? Did you find it a worthwhile and informative opportunity? Let’s hear from you. 5/22/2008
Another upcoming OPC Technical Seminar in Nashville, TN, on June 11th. This will be number five of eight free training seminars, and the last one until the fall. You just can’t say Nashville without thinking of the Grand Ole Opry. With all the recent OPC UA product news, soon people will be referring to classic OPC simply as the ‘Ole Process Control’
For those striving for an understanding in all aspects of OPC, the Seminar covers the fundamentals of OPC including Servers, Clients, OPC Data Access, OPC Unified Architecture, Best Practices and Compliance. See the presentations, talk to other users, and talk one-on-one with the many industry experts from the numerous vendor sponsors. The vendor sponsors of this seminar include Canary Labs, Cyberlogic, GE Fanuc, ICONICS, Indusoft, ILS Technology, Kepware, MatrikonOPC, Open Automation Software, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Softing, Software Toolbox and Wonderware.
The details are as follows: The OPC Nashville Seminar will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Registration and continental breakfast will start at 8:00 a.m. and the presentations will start at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m. and the seminar will conclude about 4:30 p.m. At the completion of the seminar, refreshments will be served until 6:00 p.m. Register for the free event here, and details on the Gaylord Opryland hotel are here.
And if you’re out on the golf course, look out for Predators J 5/8/2008
Last week, along with 3000 others, I attended the ABB Automation World Conference. The OPC Foundation had a table in the exhibit hall and a one-hour session to evangelize the OPC Unified Architecture.
Wolfgang Mahnke from ABB and I manned the OPC table and presented to a standing room only crowd. Our focus was to show that UA no longer stands for Un-Available. We demonstrated two UA clients and three UA servers all interoperating.
Clients:
- OPC Foundation UA Sample Client
- ICONICS GraphWorX64 (final released version)
Servers:
- OPC Foundation UA Sample Server
- Kepware UA Server running in the backplane of a Rockwell Controller
- ABB Research 800xa UA Server (prototype)
My favorite part was the series of questions we had from the audience at the end of our presentation. What about redundancy? How is the performance? How does UA support backward compatibility? We had great answers for all of their questions! The years of hard work developing UA by the volunteers from our OPC members is beginning to pay off. UA has hit the mark and is ready for deployment.
5/5/2008The reoccurring discussions regarding the policy on requiring OPC Foundation membership before access the OPC specifications has surfaced again on the forums. I’ve already posted my personal thoughts on things on the OPC Exchange blog so I won’t rehash them here and Tom has blogged on this topic as well. As a quick recap, the OPC specifications used to be freely available. Based on feedback from end users on the quality of some OPC products and interoperability problems they had encountered it was deemed something had to change. In order to have better tracking of who was developing OPC products, and ensure they had access to the right development and testing tools, the specifications are now only available to Foundation members. Based on responses on the forums and other sites, obviously not everyone agrees with this. Tom always says that if we are doing something, it should be the right thing. Are the views of the few on the forums representative of the many?
As Randy pointed out on the forum “OPC is a member driven organization and if members believe that the specs should be made available for free then these members need to make their feelings known”. Here’s a way to do that. Post a comment that answers these questions:
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Are you an OPC member?
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Does ‘pay-to-play’ mean better quality products? (i.e. member products are built on reference code, interoperability tested and certified.)
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Do you agree with the current policy of ‘pay-to-view’?
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Why/Why not?
I know there are a lot of committed OPC members out there, and I know everyone agrees with the need to raise the bar on quality and interoperability. So let’s hear from you. 4/30/2008
Don’t miss the upcoming OPC Technical Seminar in Seattle, on May 15th. This will be number four of eight free training seminars this year. (One more early this summer, and the remainder in the fall) You’ll have to think of some way other than OPC training to spend your summer vacation.)
As always these Seminars are designed to cover the fundamentals of OPC including Servers, Clients, OPC Data Access, OPC Unified Architecture, Best Practices and Compliance. These seminars are an excellent opportunity for end users, system integrators and anyone involved in currently using products or considering using products that involves multivendor interoperability for automation and beyond. Training and demonstrations of the technology facilitating maximizing the use of products and services is one of the key messages of these events.
In addition to learning about OPC, how to use the technology and best practices for implementing, attendees also get to talk with industry experts from the numerous vendor sponsors. The vendor sponsors of this seminar include Canary Labs, Cyberlogic, GE Fanuc, ICONICS, Indusoft, ILS Technology, Kepware, MatrikonOPC, Open Automation Software, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Softing, Software Toolbox and Wonderware.
The details are as follows: The OPC Seattle Seminar will be held at the Hilton Seattle Airport located at 17620 International Boulevard, Seattle, Washington, 98188, phone 206-244-4800. Registration and continental breakfast will start at 8:00 a.m. and the presentations will start at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m. and the seminar will conclude about 4:30 p.m. At the completion of the seminar, refreshments will be served until 6:00 p.m. Register for the free event here, and details on the Hilton Seattle Airport hotel are here. 4/25/2008
If you haven’t already heard, IndConn is being held as part of ConnectivityWeek, a collection of events focused at empowering the Energy Revolution driven by the need for sustainable green energy. IndConn is a new event organized in partnership with the OPC Foundation and Open O&M that addresses the importance of interoperability data and information standards and the adoption of OPC UA and other IT products and methodologies. There are two days of conference sessions, on May 20th-21st. Tuesday is the I2G (Industrial-to-Grid) Summit and Wednesday is Industrial IT & Connectivity.
Both are big days for those interested in OPC. And what big days they’re shaping up to be. The theme for this year is ‘Empowering the Energy Revolution’ and is geared toward anyone associated with electrical utility distribution as well as home and building automation. That covers utility companies, users, integrators, industrial automation vendors, research and more. The attendees tend to be made up of executive-level stakeholders (CEO, Presidents, Vice Presidents and divisional / area managers), strategic decision makers and IT device management experts. If you take a look at the speaker line up, you can see all those areas are well represented. There are utilities like PG&E and SCE, organizations like EPRI and DoE, building automation solutions like BacNet and LONMark, research labs like Berkeley and PNNL, as well as a host of industrial automation vendors. The majority of speakers have titles like CEO, Director, President etc. (I was glad to hear the VP of OPC Products, Sean Leonard, will be representing MatrikonOPC. I’m not sure my business card would hold up in this influential crowd. J )
It promises to be a great opportunity to meet with the real folks in the know about energy and sustainability. Topics like green manufacturing, standardized operation and maintenance, energy management, facility automation and of course OPC UA are, and will continue to be, extremely important for the industrial automation world. Those interested in getting in on the action can register here. |
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